This is intended as a meeting place for folk interested in the music I make with Marcus Cliffe as Miracle Mile or my solo stuff as 'Jones'.
I hope it'll be fun and might host some healthy banter; giving me a chance to share some music, video, thoughts etc.
It can get a little lonely in the attic; why not slide a note under the door...

Saturday, 7 April 2012

My Top 5: Nick Baker

Nick's been with us for as long as anyone; he knows his stuff so we're always chuffed to get his enthusiastic feedback.Nick Baker's 'Top 5':

It's taken a while but here is my Top 5.
Wanted to give it some thought as favourites constantly change!A photo for you; me at my very local beach at Aberavon and also one of me and my 12 string when I was 14!!! I wanted an electric bass but my parents wouldn't buy me one because of the noise implications. (My brother, who was 12 years older, played bass in a band in the 60s and used to practice in the next bedroom). Ironic really as this was just as noisy when I miked it up and fed it through my hi fi! I still have it with one broken machine head but it still rings out like a good un when I attempt Supertramp's 'Give a Little Bit'...

Hopeland - This song brought tears to my eyes on first hearing. I put it on repeat for about an hour!!!! After the journey through Hopeland this was just bliss. Thought Trev might be saying goodbye for whatever reason!! The sepia production of the album bursts into technicolour on this track. Including woodwind, clarinet? And as always, glockenspiel just sounds gorgeous!!

In Your Eye - Keepers glorious highlight. Uplifting, literary, sweeping. You can almost smell the sea, see the azure, hear the waves and taste the king fish. 'if all endurance is compressed', where else can you hear words like this. And again the Glockenspiel!!

Lights of Home - Simple, wraps you in a blanket of beautiful sound. Again the Glockenspiel! Must be my weakness. 'Lost beneath a star that's dying.' Lars Von Trier must have been listening before he filmed Melancholia. Vibraphone and Glockenspiel ending too. You had me at 'praying to a satellite'.

Making Repairs to Lisa - The first MM song I heard. Grabbed my attention straight away. Simple, lovely and inspiring. "I blessed your twisted heart. I fed it to the birds", I hadn't heard words in song like this since Paddy MacAloon!!! Plus woodwind. Brought to mind the lovely Kate St John!! Somehow had a 60s vibe. Love it.

Mermaid - Sorry, got to be 6!!!! Just love this song. Paints a story I can remember from my childhood. 'Another generation writing in the sand' I see this now at my very local beach time and time again and think of this song. I just want to play it to the people and shout, 'remember this time & song, the truth lies within'.

1 comment:

Interestingly, I teach Cameron Spurr, the actor who plays the young son in Von Trier's 'Melancholia'. He's a focussed little fella; wants to complete his studies (he's nine) before "pursuing the acting career'. I haven't seen the film yet; it looks beautiful; and as serious as Spurr...

Click Image Below to Access Miracle Mile Website

Jones: 'Happy Blue'

Click on image to buy

'Happy Blue' The New Album by Jones

Click Cover Above to Access Store

Feedback for 'To the Bone'

To The Bone is beautiful, delicate, like whispers in the wind or that glimpse from the corner of your eye. It draws you in and seduces you with both sounds and words. It's Trevor Jones' most simple and perhaps honest record - emotions stripped down 'to the bone' and the stripped down feel to the album compliment the music perfectly.If you hear a more beautiful album this year then I'll eat my Marshall gigging cap.

Macwood Fleet

I have been enjoying your excellent 'To the Bone' album over the past week. It's a quietly, powerful album that reveals more of itself upon repeat listens. The understated production works really well.

Cerdin Rogers

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say that I absolutely love the record. Although musically it’s clearly much more stripped down than In Cassidy’s Care, it is every bit it’s equal! It’s a record that I play all the way through because it is incredibly consistent and it’s almost a cliché to state that that’s a rarity these days. This being the case, it’s almost unfair to single out particular tracks but 'Phil The Hat' is one of the most moving songs that I have heard for some time and I think 'Fireworks' could be my favourite song of yours. Now I just need to write a review that will do the record justice!!!

Rob Marsh

A big thanks for, once again, producing a beautiful album. I'm clumsy with words but even the most articulate of people couldn't put down on paper just how great this album is. It simply needs to be listened to. No other artist can strike up emotions and imagery like you can, and for this I thank you.I engross myself in your albums like a great book that I can't put down. I know we're only in March but 'To the Bone' is album of the year. Anyone who says different has neither a heart or a soul.

Phil Hogarth

'To the Bone' arrived yesterday. I have listened a few times. For me is another masterprice full of wonderful melodies. Thank for your music. Un abrazo(regards).

Mario Matamoro

I have got mildly excited as my wife (Di) likes 'Books to Bed'.Just played the album 3 times in a row. I guess that you have always written close to your heart but this time it just seems more personal. I have to confess I felt the tears welling up at the end. Maybe I'm getting to be a big softie in my senior years but this album has a chunk of your soul and I think that Marcus has responded with a sensitive and sympathetic production that elevates the album. I am looking forward to getting to know it more.I failed to mention that it is very very good! I love the way it ends...

Chris Guildersleve

Bloody Hell TREV, what are you trying to do to me?? I am now going to call you the Marquis of Melancholy. You ripped my heart out and sliced it up!!! I almost got in the car this morning and drove up to give you a big old man hug!!!! Still digesting To The Bone and trying I gets head around it. One thing though, the ending, genius. Very Sigur Ros.

Nick Baker

Beautiful is how I would describe it, Ive had a good few listens now and it's everything you hope for, nothing more and nothing less...!Simply Stunning to be honest, keep going...

Geoff Wright

'To the Bone' available now

Click on Ad to Order Now

Miracle Mile: 'In Cassidy's Care'

Click on Poster to Order

Miracle Mile Albums

Bicycle Thieves/Candids/Alaska/Stories We Could Tell/Glow/Limbo/Coffee and Stars

Miracle Mile 'Taster'. Listen/Free Download

'In Cassidy's Care'. Click Image Below to Read the Story Behind the Songs. Kindle Version